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Little Richard, the self-proclaimed “architect of rock ‘n’ roll,” has died at the age of 87.

Pastor Bill Minson, a close friend of Little Richard’s, told The Associated Press that Little Richard died on Saturday morning.

No more details about his passing are currently known.

Little Richard is credited with changing the face of music after shooting to fame in the 1950s with his hit Tutti Frutti.

His trademark screams, outrageous dance moves and stage costumes set him apart from others of the era and made him a household name.

(Image: Getty Images)

He scored a huge number of chart successes over the course of the decade with songs including Long Tall Sally, Rip It Up, Lucille and Good Golly Miss Molly which all became classics.

His music also inspired a number of huge stars, including Sir Elton John.

The Rocket Man singer once told Rolling Stone: "I heard Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, and that was it.

"I didn’t ever want to be anything else. I’m more of a Little Richard stylist than a Jerry Lee Lewis, I think. Jerry Lee is a very intricate piano player and very skillful, but Little Richard is more of a pounder."

Little Richard's influence was massive, despite the fact that he never hit the top 10 again after 1958.

His songs became a huge part of rock 'n' roll history and were covered many times over the years by a string of artists, including the Everly Brothers, the Kinks, and Elvis Costello.

But is wasn't just his music that inspired other artists, it was his stage persona too, including his androgynous makeup and flamboyant glass-bead shirts.

The musician once described Prince as "the Little Richard of his generation".

He was born Richard Wayne Penniman on December 5, 1932 in Georgia, and was one of 12 children.

Speaking about his early life, he once said he was born in the "slums" and that his father sold bootleg whiskey to make money.

Little Richard sang at a nearby church, but his father Bud didn't approve of his musical passion and accused him of being gay.

That led to Richard leaving home at the age of 13 and moving in with a white family in his hometown of Macon.

He pursued his passion for music and carved out an unforgettable career.

In the years before his death, Richard, who was then living in Los Angeles, was still performing periodically.